How To Desolder

There are a few ways to desolder, each one has its own advantages. Most methods require a soldering iron or station. The same iron used in soldering should be used in desoldering. The iron should be 15-40 watts, any higher wattage could damage components and the circuit board. If the components that are to be desoldered are static-sensitive, a soldering station with anti-static protection, and wrist straps should be used. Soldering guns should not be used in most cases because they are very high wattage, and generate their heat by passing an electrical current through the tip, and this can create voltages that can damage components. Only use soldering guns for very large jobs that require the extra power.

Before desoldering, there isn't too much preparation involved. Just remember to tin the tip of your soldering iron like usual, by applying a small amount of solder to the tip, then wiping it off on a damp sponge or rag.

Desoldering With Desoldering Braid (AKA Wick)
One method of soldering that will involve the use of the soldering iron is using desoldering braid. Deoldering braid is a copper braid, that "sucks up" the solder, somewhat like a sponge. To use desoldering braid, pull a little off the spool, and place it over the joint to be desoldered. Then place the iron over the braid, and after the solder starts to melt, it should get sucked up by the braid. Once the braid sucks it up, that portion of the braid is used up, and can be cut off. But be careful holding the braid over the joint, because the braid gets very hot.

Desoldering With a Vacuum Pump (AKA Solder Sucker) or Bulb
To use the vacuum pump, a plunger will have to be pushed down, and it will click in place. When it is ready to be used, a button on the pump will release the plunger when pressed, and create a vacuum that sucks up the molten solder. The bulb uses the same concept of a vacuum as the pump, but it is just a rubber bulb and tip. To use it, squeeze the bulb, place the tip on the joint, then release it to suck up the solder. When you are using these, you must first heat the joint with the soldering iron, and once it is melted, suck up the solder. If it doesn't suck up all the solder, just reheat the joint and suck up the rest. If the vacuum pump or bulb doesn't seem to be letting anything pass freely through the tip, it may be clogged with solder, and can be unclogged by pushing the solder through. You might have to clear it a few times while desoldering many joints.

Desoldering With a Desoldering Iron
One of the easiest ways to desolder is using a desoldering iron. It is like a soldering iron and bulb or pump put together, so the tip of the iron heats up the solder, and sucks it up. To use the desoldering iron, it should be tinned just like a regular soldering iron. Then the bulb should be squeezed, or the pump's plunger should be clicked into place, and the tip of the iron placed over the joint. Once the joint melts, the bulb should be released or the button pressed, and it will suck up the solder.

Other Notes
When you are desoldering you may wish to use a heatsink to prevent damage to components from the heat. Heatsinks are aluminum "clips", that when hooked on to a component help to prevent overheating. To use one, clip it to the lead between the component and the circuit board or joint to be desoldered. Any heat that goes though the lead toward the component will be spread out in the heatsink, giving the component some protection. And try not to heat the joint too long, because components can be damaged, or the copper traces on the circuit board may lift.

Each way of desoldering is best for certain applications. The desoldering braid is not reusable, so it might be better to use one of the other methods for large jobs. I like to use a desoldering iron for taking components out of a circuit board, but when preparing a new circuit board to be soldered, I like using desoldering braid for coating the pads with solder. But it is up to you on how you want to desolder something. You will find that some ways just work better than others for you.

Tips to Remember
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